Doctors: Suspect accused of killing Dep. Darren Goforth is competent

Published 1:00 am, Friday, September 9, 2016

Shannon Jaruay Miles in Harris County Criminal Court, Aug. 31, 2015, for arraignment on charges related to the death of Harris County Sheriff's deputy Darren Goforth.

Shannon Jaruay Miles in Harris County Criminal Court, Aug. 31, 2015, for arraignment on charges related to the death of Harris County Sheriff's deputy Darren Goforth.

Doctors: Suspect accused of killing Dep. Darren Goforth is competent

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The man accused of killing Harris County sheriff's deputy Darren Goforth has been found competent to stand trial by psychologists at the state mental health hospital where he has been held.

A state district judge signed an order Wednesday to bring Shannon Miles, 31, back to Houston where he could be cleared to go to trial in the August 2015 slaying of Goforth.

"We're waiting to meet with our client on his return," said Miles' defense attorney Anthony Osso. "This is not a court finding. This is the hospital advising the court that they feel they have restored his competence."

Ossa said Miles is likely to appear in court for a status hearing next week.

Miles was arrested shortly after the veteran lawman was gunned down in uniform at a gas station in northwest Harris County.

Miles is accused of ambushing Goforth, then standing over him and unloading his pistol.

He is charged with capital murder, though Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson has not yet said whether her office will seek the death penalty.

Osso has said his client has a history of mental health problems, including schizophrenia and episodes of psychotic behavior.

Earlier this year, Miles was found to be incompetent to stand trial and sent to the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon for treatment.

State District Judge Susan Brown committed him for 120 days so mental health professionals could medicate him and work with him to restore competency.

To stand trial, Miles must be found to be competent to aid in his own defense.

Mental competency is a different legal issue than insanity, which requires a determination that the person did not understand the difference between right and wrong at the time of the crime.